Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-01-14

butor OF our dependent waits and charac-
terized 10y q foster patental devotion and
watchfulncss The governor next proceed
ed TO point out the needs OF the other
state institutions.
With new asylum for the insane, re-
Gently completed, with capacity for 800
patients, we are still confronted with the
fact that before the next legislative ses-
sion shall arrive there will be- no room for
the admission OF patients in any of the
state asylums. Many Of the patients are
harmless but incurahle. The state owns a
farm in connection with the asylum Mt
Kalamazoo, ana the bo3 II Of trustees ask
for an appropriation of sla0JD To con
struct four houses on this farm that will
accommodate l2O patients. Sufficient
room for this number OF inmates in the
ordinary asylum would cost $4,000.
Sound policy and wise economy induce
the governor To urge upon the legislature
the propriety OF this appropriation.
DEMONSTRATION for tho deaf and dumb
asks for $4,000 20 purchase $50 acres of
land adjoining the institution. Some adj
dition to the land now owned may be de-
sirable, but the policy Of purchasing so
large a tract is doubtful. An apprOpria-
ton OF Sll, OOJ IS also asked for the erection
of an hospital. While some provision
should doubtless be made for tho sick. yet
the objections TO separate hospital build
ings are SO serious that do not believe
this appropriation should be made
The location OF the asylum for insane
criminals at lonia, in connection with the
house Of correction, was very unfortunate
in every respect. The board ask for an
appropriation OF $4,000 for an extension
OF the building. Though their present
capacity is full 10 Overlooking IL is sincere
ly hoped that no money will be appropri-
ated for an extension of the building
where now located
The question of prison labor is attract
ing more general attention than ever be-
fore. What 10 do with our convicts is
problem yet only partially solved That
they must work i almost universally CON
coded. Their health, future welfare, hui
manity and economy alrunite in demand.
ing this and Justice 10 the free workers Of
the state demands that the depressing eff
feet OF their labCs upon free labor and its
products should be reduced TO the
lowest minimum. How TO find
employment for the prisoner so
as not TO compete with FREQ labor
or 10 the least extent is the question that
cOnfronts prison management well "a
legislation. There is widespread feeling
existing against contracting this labor and
favOriug the employ OF prisoners on
state account. II this plan is generally
adopted IL Will require heavy appropria-
tiOns for implements and machinery, and
for working capital for material. Again
should this Plan be pursued. 10 /, not easy
TO see how competition with free labor
will be removed or much reduced. Nor
will il be sound policy 10 employ them in
non productive pursuits because the sup
port Of the prisoner would place burden
upon those we would be glad to aid. That
the contract system j. 10 be abandoned
sooner or later seems apparent ana Just
what shall take It's place Is question
challenging your best thought and wisest
action
The state prison at Jackson SKIS for large
appropriations for improvements and re-
pairs Its financial management has been
most excellent. Its requirements will toe
largely governed by the policy to be pur-
sued in relation 20 convict labor The
board Of corrections and charities call
for an entire revolution of the present
system of prison management. The tend
enCy 10 the propo> eel plan viii be 10 take
the management OF the prison out OF the
hands OF the people and place 1t in the
hands OF a board. This the governor does
not believe 20 re q wise policy. Following
out the same police recommendation Is
also made that the construction and man
agement Of all the 1ails III the state be taken
from the hands of the local authorities
and placed IN tho hands of ono
supervisory board. Such might prove
to be a good policy, but the governor :
strong faith in the intelligence and virtue
Of the people leads him 10 doubt the pro-
pricty OF the experiment.
Slowly but surely taxation increases.
and this j. rendered the more hurdensome
because with the great mass Of taxpayers
the ability 10 pay diminishes In many
instances the tax amounts 10 more than
the ret income Of the property taxed.
High taxes necessitate high rents and
higher interest, and in this way reacts
upon those whose names do not appear
upon the assessment rolls. Such taxation
bears heavily upon agriculture. The farm
er's property is all IN sight and cannot
escape assessment. II l. no eXaggeration
10 say that 10 requires twice a. much OF
the products OF the farm 20 pay the aggre-
gate taxes as IL did eight years ago. 1t Is
duty owed 20 the people of the state TO
use all Just means, consistent with tho
welfare " the state. 90 reduce the burdens
of government, and secondly. 20 revise the
tax laws 50 as To more equally adjust the
burdens
In the interests OF economy the governor
urges the passage OF bin that will prevent
an appeal from justice court % the cir
cult court when the Judgment does not
exceed the sum OF 30.
IN tne interests ~ decreasing criminals
IL is hoped that the law will be amended
SO that the age of female infants consent
shall be increased from 40 years Of age 10
at least IA. This subject Is one attracting
much attention and thought in this coun-
try and in Europe. IL Is believed that tho
change indicated would prevent many
from entering the paths of crime, yet even
should this fail in this respect, humanity
demands its enactment.
Even school teachers and school bows
now go 10 their duties and lessons armed
The custom Of carrying concealed weap.
ons should he prohibited 10y the most
stringent legislation. Prize sighting, with
or without gloves should be prevented by
more strict enactments. The full enforce
ment of the laws relating to the sale OF
intoxicating drinks, especially 10 minors
and confirmed drunkards, would do much
TO lessen crime and relieve overburdened
taxation.
We have thirty circuit and superior
courts in the state. In each or these, AZ
least - jurors are summoned to appear al
every term of court. The jury system is
regarded as being one OF the safeguards OF
liberty handed down to us from ancestors,
and any change here suggested Is made in
Difference TO IL. The contribution OF Mich
igan wisely, in my opinion, provides that
the legislature may authorize n trial 10y n
jury OF less number than twelve men. y
The plan OF reducing the number TO six
has been tested in justice courts with such
satisfaction that there is no general dc.
mand for All increase in the number re-
quired With our general education, Ger.
tainy six men are as competent now &c
try cases, civil and criminal, in our circuit
courts, Us were twelve men when the great
necessity OF trial by jury gave birth &c
our present system.
Wisely has provision been IN adc TO collect